The Belgrade Swingin' Exchange is a lindy hoppers' city break in Belgrade, Serbia.
A long weekend of dancing, exploring the city and having entirely too much fun.
Includes three days of parties, taster classes and lively daytime activities!
Join us on a beautiful boat ride along the river, enjoy a private movie showing with friends, dance to a live band on a charming riverboat with a breathtaking view of the Sava river and Belgrade Fortress (not to mention an open bar!) and experience the fusion of old world and modern that the Serbian capital is known for.
Organized by the Jazz Social Club, Belgrade Swingin' Exchange is a great way for swing dancers and jazz lovers alike to experience what Belgrade has to offer. This year, it will be held from 4 October to 6 October.
The Oldie Goldies is a swing band formed in 2021 and based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Bringing together musicians from all over Europe including Bulgaria, Spain and France, they have quickly become one of the most popular swing bands in the Balkans. Great admirers of Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Fats Waller and Duke Ellington, their repertoire encompasses original compositions as well as modern arrangements.
After their success in Bulgaria, The Oldie Goldies have continued to ignite their passion for swing in Romania, Greece... gracing the stage alongside renowned acts from the global swing scene such as Heart Of Dixie, The Shirt Tail Stompers, and The Big Five
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From Barcelona to Bangkok and Islington to Istanbul, DJ Dom ‘Hand Solo’ Eagleton has been rocking dancefloors across the world with swing music of the highest quality since 2016. Always on the lookout for interesting tracks and a passionate lindy hopper himself, London-based Dom is guaranteed to move your happy feet! Expect a diverse mix of sounds from the swing era, from time-honoured classics to lesser-known gems, and always – always! – Duke Ellington:)
Originally based in Wuppertal, Tobi started dancing in 2007 in Cologne, Germany. He quickly fell in love with swing dancing and began to share his passion through DJing and organizing swing dance events in his hometown. With his talent for selecting the perfect swing tunes and creating an energetic atmosphere on the dance floor, Tobi's events soon became some of the most popular in the region. Due to his skills as a DJ and infectious energy and enthusiasm for swing he quickly became known for his ability to keep dancers on their feet all night long.
Charlie started to tap dance in Italy when she was a teenager. Her first approach was by studying musical repertoires and, just a few years later, she discovered swing technique. For several years she dedicated herself to the roots of this style by studying the footage of the legends of Tap Dance (Sammy Davis Jr., Gregory Hines, Jimmy Slide, Eleanor Powell etc.).
She moved to Paris to have the opportunity to take classes from international teachers. This dedication increased her style in Solo Jazz and that’s why she loves to do competitions and shows. Her classes are focused on knowledge, history, musicality and bringing up the love and the passion for this culture.
Dasha went to her first dance class in 2010. Having started with boogie-woogie, she has been exploring the world of swing dances ever since: lindy hop, solo jazz, balboa, blues –seems like she can not make a choice in favour of just one style.
In 2015, together with her close friends, she founded Summertime Swing – the biggest swing dance club in Saint Petersburg. The following year she started teaching and now cannot imagine her life without it and is always happy to share her passion for jazz dancing.
A degree in teaching helps her keep the balance between fun and efficiency in the learning process. She likes exploring dancing and body movement together with her students and sharing her tips on improvisation.
“When a live band is playing and you feel madly in love with this world and this music, there is nothing like being able to express it through dancing.”
Borislav Enchev & Alexandra Philippou are the respective scene leaders of Balboa in Bulgaria and Greece, along with their regular dance partners. With a dream of bringing the style to great popularity across the Balkan region, they are coming to Belgrade Swing Exchange to instill some Balboa love to yet another Balkan country!
Alexandra has been dancing Lindy Hop since 2010, and has also explored the world of solo jazz, chorus line performing, rhythm tap and Blues. Balboa however took her heart, and since 2019 she has been a devoted Balboa preacher in Athens, leading the scene there.
Borislav‘s journey in the world of swing dancing began in 2012 and took him through a wide variety of styles including lindy hop, solo jazz, blues, collegiate shag. Eventually, in 2017, he fell for Balboa dancing and the specific feeling and sensations it brings. His desire to explore deeper and spread his passion for Balboa has put the fundaments for creating a Balboa community in Sofia, that is now evolving and steadily growing.
As part of the "Gabbiano" Event Center, there is a modern open-style Cafe & Restaurant on two levels with the largest open air terrace on the Danube. Since November 2018, Gabbiano is proud of their new banquet hall "Gabbiano Exclusive” which offers a magnificent view of Belgrade and the river. Gabbiano also has a large marina with two modern ships for cruises and panoramic sightseeing: Trajan and Livade.
GETTING THERE
Here is the Belgrade Swingin' Exchange '24 schedule
